Klay Thompson seems like a great move for a Miami Heat team in search of more shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. But, at least for now, the path toward Thompson just doesn't seem feasible.
In fact, the spicy idea of the Heat adding Thompson just got hit with cold water.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Heat would only be interested in Thompson if he got bought out by the Dallas Mavericks, and are not in a position where they'd be willing to trade for him. He also adds that a buyout for Thompson is not currently in the works.
Is the Klay Thompson dream dead for the Heat?
What does that mean? Well, it's a pretty strong pushback to the notion of a clear path for the Heat to get an elite shooter. At least for now, it doesn't seem as if there's a real shot that Thompson gets bought out.
That doesn't mean that can't eventually happen later this season, but this may be one of those possibilities that occurs in the season, instead of before. If that is indeed the case, it will leave the Heat's front office scouring the free-agent market again for a 3-point threat that can help them now.
And, honestly, that's a lot easier said than done. Looking at the landscape across the free-agent market, there just aren't any no-brainer targets on the market anymore. Are there players that the Heat could take a flier on? Absolutely.
But none of them are as much of a sure thing as a player like Thompson would be. Interestingly enough, that's probably one of the biggest reasons why he isn't available.
A lot can change, and in an instant, in the NBA, but the Heat may have to shift their attention soon if they're hoping to add more shooting in the first-year build around Giannis.
The Heat need shooting and playmaking
In addition to just pure shooting, there's a strong argument to be made that the Heat also needs to add another playmaker. But, again, there are no easy avenues to accomplish that.
While it could be easy to cool on the Heat, even after Giannis, because of these two key concerns, this was very much expected. The Heat knew the challenges that would come after gutting their roster for a superstar player.
This is the moment when the Heat needs to get creative. They could also use some luck and good fortune. That's what the emergence of a Thompson in free agency (after a buyout) would've been.
That could still happen, but until it does, it's difficult to envision how exactly the Heat is going to get that added 3-point shooting they're going to need to start off this next build.
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